title: Associations between objectively assessed physical activity levels and fitness and self-reported health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies investigated the associations between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and self-reported physical activity (PA) and/or self-reported physical fitness which are not the most reliable methods to assess PA and fitness. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the associations between HRQoL and each of objectively assessed habitual PA and physical fitness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-five community-dwelling older adults (60-83 years) completed assessments for PA (counts/min and steps/day using accelerometers), physical fitness (six-minute walk test [6MWT] and hand-grip strength), and self-reported HRQoL (using the eight subscales of the SF-36). In adjusted logistic regression models, the upper quartile was compared against the lower three quartiles of scores on each HRQoL subscale. Results report the odds ratios that were significant in the adjusted models at P < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals with higher PA levels assessed by counts/min were more likely to score higher on physical functioning (PF) subscale (OR = 1.90). Individuals with superior 6MWT performance were more likely to score higher on PF (OR = 1.87), role limitations due to physical problems (RP) (OR = 1.95), and vitality (VT) (OR = 1.79). Individuals with superior hand-grip strength were more likely to score higher on RP (OR = 2.37) and VT (OR = 1.83).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Objectively assessed PA and physical fitness measures were positively associated with physical health HRQoL subscales as reported by community-dwelling older adults.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Plácido Costa, 91, 4200-450, Porto, Portugal. flaviacanuto@gmail.com
authors.forename: Flávia A C
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Wanderley
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D057566:Self Report